So as I understand it, spots open up for FT recruiting around the beginning of August -- A rough estimate of 75%-66% of SA's get and accept their FT offers (I was a member of that 30%, feelsbadman) and then, at least at the BB I SA'd at, the groups can recruit from lateral transfers internally (IE, SA's who got the offer from their group but want to go to another group).
So where does that leave someone trying to break in FT a year after graduating? Do MD's/VP's prefer getting younger guys who are finishing up undergrad to come in to be first-year analysts, or would having a year in finance outside of banking show maturity, experience, some financial foothold in Manhattan, etc etc.
Like, is having an extra year on other FT competitors (vying for that 30% or so of unfilled SA spots) beneficial or detrimental? I feel like having some money to fall back on and being a year older/more mature would be a good selling point, and the fact that I thought about what I wanted and realized I wanted to go into banking -- Just thinking out loud here on how I sell myself really.